The Duchess

The Duchess appeared in The Muppet ShowEpisode 506, as one of many characters from the Alice in Wonderland books. Originally appearing in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Duchess is a querulous, intensely ugly aristocrat who oversees a turbulent household, including a pepper-obsessed cook, a Cheshire Cat, and a squawling baby. The Duchess later throws the baby out, who then turns into a pig. She returns, cowed into friendliness by the threat of decapitation, to joing Alice at the croquet match and trial.

On The Muppet Show, the Duchess is a minor figure, appearing in the chorus and background of many scenes. She has a single solo line during the "Smile" medley, and is usually accompanied by the baby. During the courtroom scene, she's holding a piglet, the transformed baby; both serve as proxy Muppaphone keys for judge Marvin Suggs.